Indian Visa Requirements for Children (under 18)

Indian Visa – Indian visa requirements for children (under 18) vary depending on whether you're applying for an e-Visa or a regular visa (e.g., Emergency Entry Visa) through an Indian embassy/consulate. 

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Below is a concise guide covering both, tailored for urgent or standard applications.

1. e-Visa Requirements for Children

The e-Visa is available for eligible nationalities (165+ countries, e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia) for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes. Children, including infants, need their own visa and passport.

Eligibility: 

Same as adults; not available for Pakistani passport holders or those of Pakistani origin (they need a regular visa).

Processing Time: 

1-3 days (urgent cases may take 18-24 hours, subject to volume).

Required Documents:

Passport:

• Valid for at least 6 months from arrival in India.
• At least 2 blank pages.
• Scanned bio page (PDF, <3MB).
• Each child needs their own passport (cannot be endorsed on a parent’s).

Photo:

• Recent digital color photo (white background, <4MB).
• For infants, a clear frontal photo is acceptable.

Application Form:

• Filled online at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
• Parents can complete it on behalf of the child.
• Parental Consent (if traveling alone or with one parent):
• Notarized consent letter from the non-traveling parent(s) or legal guardian.
• Copy of parents’/guardian’s passport or ID.

Additional Documents (if applicable):

• For e-Medical Visa: Hospital letter for the child or family member (PDF, <3MB).
• For urgent cases (e.g., family emergency): Proof like a death certificate or hospital letter.
• Birth Certificate: Required for some nationalities (e.g., USA, UK) to verify parentage.
• Scan or PDF copy.

Fees:

• Same as adult fees (varies by country, e.g., $25-$100 for e-Tourist Visa).
• Non-refundable, paid online.

Application Process:

1. Apply 4-120 days before travel (30 days for 30-day e-Tourist Visa).
2. Upload documents and pay via the official portal.
3. e-Visa is emailed as a PDF; carry a copy.

Important Notes for e-Visa Requirements:

• Valid at major airports/seaports (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai), not land borders.
• Not processed on Indian holidays (Jan 26, Aug 15, Oct 2).

2. Regular Visa Requirements for Children (via Embassy/Consulate)

For emergencies (e.g., family death, critical illness) or if ineligible for an e-Visa, apply for an Entry Visa through an Indian embassy/consulate or their outsourcing partner (e.g., VFS Global, BLS).

Eligibility: 

Open to all nationalities, including those needing urgent travel or restricted purposes (e.g., missionary work).

Processing Time: 

Same-day or 1-2 days for emergencies; 3-7 days otherwise, depending on consulate.

Required Documents:

Passport:

• Valid for 6+ months with 2 blank pages.
• Original and copy; each child needs their own.

Photos:

• 2 recent passport-sized photos (e.g., 50mmx50mm in UK, 2x2 inches in USA).
• Infants need clear photos (studio or home-taken, frontal view).

Application Form:

• Online at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
• Select Entry, Tourist, Medical, or other visa type.
• Signed by parent/guardian for minors.

Birth Certificate:

• Original or certified copy to confirm parentage.
• Mandatory for most consulates (e.g., USA, Canada, UK).

Parental Consent:

1. Notarized letter from non-traveling parent(s) or guardian.
2. If one parent has sole custody, provide court order or death certificate of the other parent.
3. Copies of parents’ passports or IDs (with signatures).

Proof of Emergency (for urgent visas):

• Death certificate, hospital letter, or proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate).
• Flight itinerary (within 48 hours for some consulates).

Proof of Address:

• Utility bill or ID of parent/guardian (some consulates, e.g., Canada).

Additional Documents (if applicable):

1. For Medical Visa: Hospital invitation letter and treatment details.
2. For Indian-origin families: Parents’ OCI/PIO card or Indian passport copies.

Fees:

• Vary by country and visa type (e.g., $80-$200 in USA, £60-£200 in UK).
• Urgent processing may add $20-$100.
• Check with VFS Global or consulate (I don’t have exact pricing).

Application Process:

1. Fill online form and print it.
2. Submit at consulate/VFS/BLS center (e.g., London, New York, Toronto).
3. Some require appointments; walk-ins accepted for emergencies (e.g., San Francisco, 8-11 AM).
4. Provide biometrics (if required, typically for ages 12+).
5. Collect visa in person or via courier.

Locations (examples):

• USA: VFS centers in New York, Chicago, Houston.
• UK: VFS in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh.
• Canada: BLS in Toronto, Vancouver.
• Australia: VFS in Sydney, Melbourne.

Key Tips for Indian Visa Requirements for Children 

1. Urgent Cases: For e-Visas, medical emergencies or family deaths may qualify for faster processing, but consulates prioritize Entry Visas for genuine emergencies (immediate family only).
2. Passports for Infants: Even newborns need their own passport; parent endorsements aren’t accepted.
3. Consent Letters: Critical if a child travels without both parents. Some consulates (e.g., UK) may reject applications without notarization.
4. Avoid Delays: Double-check passport validity, photo specs, and document formats. Incomplete applications are a common rejection reason.
5. Official Channels: Use indianvisaonline.gov.in to avoid scams (e.g., indianvisa-gov.in is fake).
6. OCI Option: If the child is of Indian origin, an OCI card may simplify entry (no visa needed), but processing takes weeks, so not viable for urgent travel.